VW Scirocco GT24KEY POINTS:
Volkswagen is attempting to establish some serious sporting credibility for its new Scirocco coupe with a racing-style concept version.
Three race-prepared, factory-entered Sciroccos ran at the Nurburgring 24-hour race last month, hence the marketing opportunity for a roadgoing version of the liveried racer.
The Scirocco GT24 has a tuned 2.0-litre four-cylinder TSI engine. This is mated to a six-speed DSG gearbox, which channels drive to the front wheels. The gearbox features uprated clutch plates with revised gear ratios and a lightened flywheel linked to a differential lock.
It is based on the shell of the Scirocco race car, prepared by Volkswagen Motorsport in Hanover, and is finished in Volkswagen Racing Blue.
Although many components are carried over from the road car, the GT24's dimensions vary significantly, with a 227mm gain in length and 61mm gain in width to accommodate a wider track. Lowered, adjustable race damper units account for a 75mm drop in ride height.
With many components removed from the road car, the Scirocco GT24 weighs 178kg less. It will provide the basis for a forthcoming track version of the new coupe.
The Nurburgring GT24 race team, in the "real" racing Sciroccos, scored a class 1-2 and 11th overall. The GT24 of Austrian track legend Hans-Joachim Stuck and co-drivers Jimmy Johansson, Florian Gruber and Thomas Mutsch led the way in the 2.0-litre turbo class over the 25km Nordschleife track.
It finished four places ahead of the sister car piloted by double World Rally Champion Carlos Sainz and team-mates Giniel de Villiers and Dieter Depping. Stuck also took a turn at the wheel to achieve first and second in class. The works team's third Scirocco took fifth in class and 32nd overall.
The standard Scirocco goes on sale in Europe in September, and in New Zealand later this year.
